The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul spoke to the people in the synagogue in Antioch and said, “When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said the people and rulers in Jerusalem, “found no cause of death in him” where we read:
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
The verse begins, “And though they found no cause of death in him, ...” Luke began with the words, “and though they found no cause” which means “and after searching and seeking the people and rulers in Jerusalem did not discover any reason or legitimate accusation” “of death in him” or “for the loss of life and the separation of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended within Jesus”. Luke shared how “Paul” referred to the way there was no “reason” found whereby Jesus should die.
The verse goes on to say, “... yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.” Luke continued with the words, “yet desired they Pilate” which means “however still the people and rulers in Jerusalem wanted, craved, demanded and desired for Pilate whose name means armed with a spear and was the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria” “that he should be slain” or “that Jesus ought to be killed”. Luke shared how the people and rulers in Jerusalem wanted “Pilate” to kill Jesus.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people and leaders were determined to have Jesus killed. Even though they found no reason that He should die, they appealed to “Pilate” to put Him to death. (See Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19 for more information). The Jews did not have the power to put Jesus to death, so they solicited “Pilate” for their purpose. God knew all these things in advance, and because He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world, this process was allowed to continue. God loves people, and He gave His life so people could be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise will carefully study this process and yield themselves to Jesus who will “save” anyone who believes in Him for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how Paul refers to how Jesus was taken, “down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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